Pope Francis celebrates Christmas Eve Mass as Italy sets pandemic record of new cases

https://www.npr.org/2021/12/24/ [login to see] /pope-francis-christmas-eve-mass-covid
Pope Francis celebrated Christmas Eve Mass before an estimated 2,000 people in St. Peter's Basilica on Friday, going ahead with the service despite the resurgence in COVID-19 cases that has prompted a new vaccine mandate for Vatican employees.

A maskless Francis processed down the central aisle as the Sistine Chapel choir sang "Noel," kicking off the Vatican's Christmas holiday that commemorates the birth of Jesus in a manger in Bethlehem. He remained maskless throughout the service.